The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is so good, but I almost hesitate to put this book up here because the looming tragedy of the story is palpable from page one. But it's so beautifully put together with prose like Robert Frost's poetry- woodsy, direct, honest and dark around the edges- that I felt compelled.
Part John Steinbeck-esque American family epic, part coming-of-age tale, part ghost story, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle follows the tumultuous events of the title character's young adulthood. His father and mother make a living breeding and training their extraordinarily intelligent dogs, and Edgar can't imagine any other life. Cracks appear in their tight-knit family when Edgar's troubled, enigmatic uncle Claude reappears after a years-long absence and reinserts himself into the life of the family and kennel. When Edgar's father dies unexpectedly, Edgar is the only one who suspects that something is not quite right about his death. I really can't say much more without spoilers, but it really is a beautiful, haunted book with some very believable, unique characters and real things to say about families, growing up, trusting your instincts, and the deep friendships that are possible between humans and dogs. But don't read the ending alone in the dark at midnight like I did. Bad idea.